Mandatory evacuations are continuing in Florida's Hillsborough County, the target of the approaching Hurricane Milton. And Tampa's mayor issued a dire warning to those defying the evacuation order.
Milton, now classified as a Category 4 after temporarily reaching Category 5 strength on Monday, is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area late Wednesday. While the storm is already the second strongest Gulf hurricane in recorded history, forecasters warn it will increase in size as it approaches land.
Speaking with CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Monday evening, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized how dangerous Milton will be when asked about her most important message to residents.
“The number one message for several days now is that you need to prepare and do everything you need to do and then get out of the evacuation zones,” Castor explained. “And as we've all heard so many times now, you hide from the wind and run from the water.”
He said with the current possibility of a direct hit, the coastal city is looking at total surges of 10 to 12 feet. Compare that to Hurricane Helene, which caused 6-foot storm surges when it hit a week ago and is still causing widespread destruction.
Castor didn't mince words when asked what he would say to those who choose to stay the same and ride out the storm.
“I can tell you right now that they may have done this to others, it's never happened. Helene was a wake-up call, this is literally a disaster,” he warned. “And I can say this without any drama: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you will die.”
His answer shocked even Collins, but it underscores just how life-threatening this storm will be. On Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center's Storm Surge Unit issued a similarly critical warning.
“A large destructive storm surge from Milton will occur over portions of Florida's west coast on Wednesday,” the agency wrote. “This is extremely life-threatening and residents should follow advice from local authorities, including evacuation orders.”